Work before Play

Tuesday
Jerk, heavy single
63
83
93
103
113
133, failed twice

WOD
3 rounds
200 m run
10 DB thrusters
10 Ring Pull Ups
Time: 9:10

I have to say that this wod had a particularly new and horrible element to it this evening. But that is part of CrossFit, right?!?

The experience of running outside in the fairly pleasant evening air and then entering the box and hitting the wall of the hot dead air in the box was a totally new challenge. I don't think I have ever, ever experienced the feeling that hit me each time I went into the box. It was like my lungs just seized up and didn't want to breathe. The fabulous thing was that the feeling didn't last too long and my airways opened up, allowing me to live and continue the workout.

Don't you love being able to be dramatic on a blog? But seriously, it was something else.

Wednesday
Med Ball Toss
5x5
1min rest between sets
I was in the most fabulous group with Wesley and Andrea. We were supposed to aim for hitting the ceiling, but we didn't even get close enough to wonder if it touched. But we had fun.

Shot Put 5 right, 5 left
Shot put-not my thing evidently...

WOD
6 rounds
5 hang power snatches 63#
4 broad jumps
Time: 6:12

Some great 2nd pull practice for me!

Then 3 sprints on the track.

I got to sprint at the same time as Danny. He was way ahead of me. It was almost like he was finishing as I was finally getting moving. But I tried my best, and for me, I ran pretty fast. :)

Now I am rather frantically getting ready to take my vacation tomorrow. NYC!!

A little whiney

Snatch
Heavy Single
53
63
73
78
83
93, fail, fail, fail

So who is super frustrated by the snatch?? I am. All I can say right now is-ack. I was SO frustrated with this tonight because I wanted so badly to get the 93#. I've been stuck at 88# for a good long time. I really want to move past this, but I have evidently hit that place where my lack of technique has caught up to me and will now mock me for an undetermined amount of time.

So even though part of me just wanted to give up and call it a night at that point, the other part knew I had to buck up and do the wod.

WOD
3 rounds
1 min max burpees
1 min rest
1 min max cal row
1 min rest
1 min double unders
1 min rest

Score-
12/16/5
14/16/4
13/18/ummmm, just gave up and did single unders only

So to recognize the small victories tonight:
-I did actual burpees for the whole wod. No stepping down or up, just burpeeing the whole time.
-I was able to get a few double unders. They went more or less like this s-s-s-s-s-d-s-s-s-s-s-d...until I called it quits and just did single unders.
-Thanks to Shane's encouragement, I tried to get that last row as high as I could. I'm pretty sure the display was almost ready to flip to 19 on that last one. Just so you know.
-the evil hip mobility after the wod is definitely getting easier, but that just means that I don't quite feel like I am about to cry during that stretch.

Think About Mobility, all the time...

Back Squat
243x5
213x5
203x5

Tried to be super focused on keeping my upper back tight, pulling against that bar, keeping my chest up...all those great things.

SLDL
128x3x5

GHD 3x15

And I made up some mobility wods. These are my Starrett words for today-
Cultivate posture, greatness, and ready state. It's not enough to say to yourself: "I'm going to lift something heavy now, I'd better get organized". Greatness is all the time.

Watch out, Cliff. I might have found a new life coach...

liked the wod

Press
45#x5
65#x5
75#x5

WOD
7 rounds
20 sec deadlifts
40 sec rest
20 sec box jumps
40 sec rest

135# Deadlifts-8/9/9/9/9/9/9
20" Box Jumps-9/9/10/8/10/10/10

Twenty seconds is a great amount of time to work! I really felt like I was able to push myself each work set. I definitely enjoyed this wod, which is saying a lot when a wod includes deadlifts!

Overhead Squat
63x3
73x3
83x3
93x3
103x3 (PR)

WOD
5 rounds
15 ball slams 25#
10 push ups
5 K2E
Time-8:37

Super happy about the OHS PR! Next stop-115#

My poor hands

Hang Power Snatch+Snatch
53x2
63x2
73x2
78x2 (well, fail, then snatch, so I tried it again)
78x2 (definitely a hang snatch PR)
73x2

I am becoming more and more comfortable with the hang position!

SLDL
123x5x3

Probably should have gone with 128. Oops. These still annihilate my grip, so I am motivated to get those set of 5 done quickly before I give into the discomfort and drop the bar. Fun times! :)

GHD sit-ups
3x15

Jump and Burp...

Clean and Jerk
63
83
103
113

WOD
21-15-9 Jump Squats 63#
10-10-10 Burpees

Time-3:36

Ah, a great, super fast wod! I like jumping squats, even though they make your quads feel horrible by the end, but when combined with burpees, the quads b.u.u.u.u.rn. I just had to keep telling myself to keep moving during the burpees, just keep moving, Leah...

What!?! Back Squat Again!?!

Yep, when you have the gift of being able to move down toward the floor and then stand back up again, you have to practice it a lot.

Back Squat
238x5
213x5
203x5

Power Jerk+Split Jerk
53x2
63x2
83x4

WOD
3 Rounds
30 OH plate lunges 25#
20 KBS 44#
10 Burpees
Time-11:48

Loved and hated this wod. It was super hard to like this while right in the midst of the 90 plate lunges. Step, drive shoulders up, try it again...But when a wod like this is done, I love that I did it, and that I stuck with it.

Counting can be hard

Important goal for next week-get these posts written on time...

Tuesday
9/14/2010
Snatch Push Press
53x5
63x5
73x5
83x5

I WILL be able to get more weight up over my head. I will.

WOD
3 rounds
5 min. ARMAP
5 DB snatch 25#
7 push ups
9 box jumps 20"
1 min rest

Rounds 3/3/3

Have you ever been in the middle of a wod, working really hard to keep with it, and at the same time trying to keep track of your reps and rounds? Seems like something I should have plenty of practice with by now, right? But in fact, I have no idea how many box jumps I actually did. I am sure I did at least 9 each round, but right in the middle of the 2nd round, I was counting my box jumps-7,8,9,10,11,12. And then I realized that I only had to do 9.

Reverse Hypers 90#x10x2

Maybe those mobility wods are working

Sunday
9/12/10

Hang Power Clean+Power Clean
63x2
73x2
83x2
93x2 (missed the first hpc, so started over)
103xa gazillion (or more accurately at least 6 power cleans)

And then, and then, get this...I also had to fix and hold the receiving position on all those 103s until Joc had approved it and felt that I had held it long enough. One could argue that I would have saved myself a lot of work if I had just received it with my elbows and hips in the right place, but that would be a boring argument.

SLDL
123x5x3

Evidently my grip is somewhat lacking. I got to that last set and realized that I had to fly through those deadlifts before my grip just gave out.

GHD sit ups 3x15

Monday
9/13/10
Front Squat 2RM
143x2
163x2
173x1
173x2

But there is no way that is my 2 RM. I was running out of time, and I was just not prepared-like I forgot to use my belt until the last set...I think that I was probably off because I got into so much trouble during the warm up. That will throw anyone off.

WOD
4 rounds
200 m sandbag run
15 ring pull ups
Time: 11:20

So, that sandbag. I started with the 25#, cuz I was going to be hardcore. Then I decided that I was far from hardcore, especially when I can't use my arms to run and I don't want to stand up straight. Rounds 2-4 were sans sandbag.

And this time is not good, not good at all compared to the last time I did this wod. I did do it with rowing last time, which I tend to do better with, and I did blue band pull ups (which I noted at the time were very easy.)

Then we got to do the evil hip/wall mobility thing for 2 minutes each leg. It was painful and awful, but it was markedly less painful and awful that last week.

Oh, the joys of carb restriction

Just so you know, going back to good old carb restriction is pretty awful. I have gone back to under 60g carbs/day, after letting the carb intake creep up with fruit, sweet potatoes and a cheat here and there (things like Ben and Jerry's ice cream the night I got my 273# back squat. I loved it.) I really thought that it would be simple this time. I wasn't eating bread, pasta, rice... so it would be simple, right?

Well, today I feel like all I want to do is curl up into a ball and not move. I keep gritting my teeth. I have to make conscious effort to relax my jaw. The sound of someone else eating is enough to drive me over the edge. At times, the sound of my own blood pumping through my own head is torturous. Working out this morning took all the energy I had and after I was done I was shaky and dizzy. All I can do is drink water and plaster a smile on my face, hoping that when I wake up tomorrow everything will be all butterflies and roses.

I know this will pass. I know it will.

Thursday's Workout
Back Squat
I messed up the whole scheme, so it didn't work quite like it was supposed to:
203x5
213x5
238x2 then fail...

I was glad Kyle was there to pull the bar off.

WOD
7 rounds
7 DB push press 30#
7 burpees
7 pull ups (green band, deadhang)

Time-12:06

The presses were almost awesome. I looked forward to them in every round because both the burpees and deadhang pull ups were so, um...not awesome. I totally regressed on my burpee form, but for most of the wod, I didn't care.

Saturday's WOD
Snatch
53x2
63x1
73x1
83x2
93 fail, again...

Interval Cindy
2 min on, 30 sec off x5
2+5 pull ups, 10 push ups/2/2/2/2

Honest truth-once I realized that I wasn't going to get 3 rounds, ever, I just paced myself to make sure I got the full 2 rounds each interval. By round 3 I realized that I had to fly through the ring pull ups and squats to allow myself the extra time needed to complete the push ups. But even though they were hard, I felt pretty good about all my real, no knee push ups.

And I would rather do this with the ring pull ups over jumping pull ups any day. I truly, deeply, all the way to the core of my being, dislike jumping pull ups now.

Oh, and I owe great thanks to Golden for all that extra running he did to push me through the warm up run. I know you are too busy to even read blogs anymore, so you won't even see this, but without your help I wouldn't have made it. :) And my sister called me this afternoon to try to talk me into doing the Warrior Dash...agh.

The Russian Squat Cycle

Leah Takes on the Russian Squat Cycle from Jocelyn Forest on Vimeo.

So looking back, I am not 100% sure why I decided to start the squat cycle, except that I like back squats, had the extra time, and was ready for a clear challenge. I knew it would be rough at times, and I knew that I would have to just stick with it and see it through, even if I didn't really want to at times. I squatted 3 times a week for the 6 week cycle. I am know that there are longer and harder squat cycles, but this one was plenty for me. In the end I am very glad I did this, and I am glad it is finished!

The whole cycle was tough at times, and I owe big thanks to my coach Jocelyn Forest (who thought this whole thing up and is amazingly inspiring and supportive, not to mention super patient whenever I was whining or worrying) and to Kyle Haynes (who didn't come up with this idea, but is still inspiring, supportive and patient.)



Now if anyone is just fascinated with this idea, here are some more thoughts on the whole cycle, but I realize that most people won't really care what I thought about during this venture. :)

The first week was tough in that I was nervous and excited about the whole venture. I was excited to have my own dedicated squat program, excited to have such focus, excited to try something like this. I was nervous to squat three times a week, nervous to squat 208 that many times period, and very nervous of failing. And on top of that I got a cold, the first cold in over a year, and I was super bummed about that, and nice and stressed that I was going to start this cycle and then fall behind or mess it all up in the very first week. But I made it. I slept A LOT this week, but figured it was because I was sick. I also had to work hard to eat a fairly normal amount of protein. I realized right away that I had to be very meticulous about my recovery, and I could see that I needed to be more particular about what I had previously thought of as all the little parts of the squat-my hand position on the bar, my approach to the bar, re-racking the bar...

The second week I felt GREAT! I was fully recovered and I now knew I could squat 208# over and over again and still live. My legs did feel really tired and heavy most of the time, but I felt very confident with the squats. I realized that I was still tired and ended up taking naps at least a couple times during the week.

Week three marked the first time I felt like I HAD to not just sit down, but lie down between sets. It was at this point that I realized the value of committing to the 6 week cycle. If I hadn't made this commitment, I would have decided to stop, take a break, or just lift less. I would have told myself that it really didn't matter, so I'd just do less. So much of the cycle really had more to do with my mental state than my physical state. Because I had the time, it wasn't really that hard to ice, foam roll, eat and sleep. It was harder to believe that I could get the work done and sometimes it was very hard to not give up. I certainly do not have a lifetime habit of pushing myself physically, so this was not the norm for me!

Week four was when the cycle changed from various rep schemes at 208 to various rep schemes at increasing weights. I LOVED being able to return to my now safe and happy 208x2x6 following a heavier set. 208 was now my very, very good friend. There were times when it was exhausting to think about a metcon, let alone actually getting it done, and if it hadn't been for a coach pushing me through, I would have skipped out on the metcons this week.

Week five and six were h.a.r.d. I added ice baths to my recovery, moaned a lot, and fretted about every upcoming squat day. I had reached a new level of exhaustedness after my squat days so I started eating sweet potatoes. At this point it was very clear that if I had not had the constant support of Joc, I would not have finished. It was also clear that I really also needed the help of Kyle, as he was my spotter (and supporter) extraordinaire. Week 6, my last lift at 258#, was also my first miss.

When I finally maxed out, I felt ready, both physically and mentally. I love lifting the heavy weights, but I am also happy to see the changes in how I mentally approach the gym and the hard work that often faces me there. I am more and more confident, and there is no doubt that this cycle has a lot to do with that. I hit 273# for my final single. I so appreciated that several people made special effort to cheer me on for that lift-Joc, Kyle, Vero, and Lolo.

Have I learned?

Snatch Deadlift + Power Snatch
33, 53, 58, 63, 68

I was supposed to really focus on a nice slow deadlift and a pause at the top, trying to really grasp the feel of a slower first pull. When I then did the power snatches, I had varied success, but I could really, really tell the difference when I pulled slowly off the floor and THEN moved faster. Hah, I kind of feel like a nincompoop now and I marvel at the patience of a coach willing to tell me over, and over, and over again to pull slowly from the floor...And I will probably still mess it all up next week.

WOD
30 Deadlifts 143#
200 m run
30 KBS 36#
Time-5:11

Who actually likes to do 30 deadlifts in a row? Not me, for sure. I also don't really like to do 30 KBS in a row, so all of that makes the run seem wonderful. But I seriously do not even know how people can actually do heavy kettle bells after deadlifts because my back hates me with this combo. Hate might be a little strong, but it complains, a lot.

Even with all of this, it was a great night at the box-lots of people, lots of energy, lots of fun.

In other news, I am announcing a brief return to hard-core, no cheats paleo-zone. This will last for a whole 23 days since I will cheat while I am on vacation. I need to look up what my previous block breakdown was, but I am going to be in militant lean out mode-no dairy, no fruit, and no nuts. I'll cheat a little bit while in New York, and then I'll be militant again until Thanksgiving. Then I'll think about how militant I want to be...

I should have stopped thinking...

Overhead Squat 3rm
warm up with the bar
then shoulder and hip mobility
then retest with the bar-it was definitely easier to do
53x3
73x3
83x3
93x3
103x1
and then I ran out of time, but that is ok since every squat was slow and almost painful

WOD
4 rounds
10 plate cleans 25#
20 OH Lunges
10 Ring Pull Ups
Time: 11:55

This was my first night back in Kyle's class after months...
And how was it? Well, considering that the overhead squats were just super enjoyable and easy, even those plate SQUAT cleans were a blast. Starting in round 2, every single squat went like this-
This is ridiculous. This should be easy. This is just 25 pounds. This is just an air squat with 25 pounds, I used to have to air squat more that all the time when I was fatter. I mean, really, shouldn't I be flying through plate cleans with at least the 45 pounder? Ugh, why is it so hard to squat right now?!? And what am I supposed to do to cycle these together? Awkward.

As you can see, I had to move slowly just to think all of those thoughts.

I love the new gym

Strict Press + Push Press + Push Jerk

53

63

68

73

83

Super Set with Box Jumps

20 in/+25 plate/+25 and 25/+45

WOD

I don't remember how many rounds!! Oops! I guess I was too tired to remember what I needed to write down.

21 Jump Squats 83#

12 Ball Slams 25#

7 Ring Dips (Green Band)

Time-7:32

Those jump squats were tough on the old quads-burn, burn, burn. The ball slams were as wonderful as ball slams can be, except that they immediately followed the jumping squats so breathing was notably difficult.

Important note to self-I need to move to the next band on the ring dips.

And look-I put another picture up, so no more complaining from anyone. And this picture is proof that I can apparently drive my head through on a strict press...I just have to do it.